Verstappen "legendary" after Hamilton duel

Sergio Perez has hailed Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen after his "legendary" F1 title battle with Lewis Hamilton last season.

Verstappen clinched his first F1 title after a 22-race tussle with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

Despite the controversial manner in which the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was decided, Perez was quick to praise the Dutchman.

"He was really good, he was really at one with the car," said Perez at the end of last season.

"He is very good in qualifying, he is very good at the races, he is very complete. The season he has done, it has been legendary, really impressive.

"Big credit to him, he is really at one with the car."

Asked if he was forced to 'raise his level' in order to compete with Verstappen, Perez added: "Yeah, [and] I have to raise my game for 2022 and hopefully we are all able to go forwards."

In his first year alongside Verstappen at Red Bull, Perez scored a race win and a further four podiums, all third-place finishes.

A strong close to the season saw the Mexican climb the drivers' table to finish fourth although his haul of 190 points fell over 200 short of Verstappen.

Refusing to give up on his personal title ambitions, asked if his number 11 would ever feature on championship-winning shirts, Perez said: "Yeah, I really hope so, that is my biggest dream."

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